To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

NC STATE UNIVERSITY
On a warm North Carolina spring night, after a refreshing rain, you are likely to be serenaded by the most boisterous
of symphonies. Northern and southern cricket frogs make up the percussion section, and Cope’s gray treefrogs add
their melodic, soprano trills. Green frogs pluck banjo strings while Fowler’s toads add their rhythmic singsong. It is a
wildlife chorus unequaled outside of the southeastern United States, which boasts more than half of the country’s
reptile and amphibian species. Indeed, more than 100 species of reptiles and amphibians found in this region occur
nowhere else in the world.
Amphibians and reptiles are an important part of the rich
ecological heritage of North Carolina, and they play impor-tant
roles in North Carolina’s ecosystems. As urban develop-ment
continues to expand across the state, it is important
that North Carolina’s citizens recognize the value of reptile
and amphibian populations and learn how to conserve their
habitats.
The Lives of Amphibians and Reptiles
Scientists combine amphibians and reptiles in a group
called herpetofauna, or herps for short. This name comes
from the word herpetology, which is the scientific study of
reptiles and amphibians. Why combine reptiles and am-phibians
in the same group? Because they share some com-mon
characteristics. Unlike mammals and birds, all herps
(along with fish) are ectotherms. Ectotherms (commonly
called “cold-blooded animals”) do not rely on their me-tabolism
or other physiological processes (such as sweating
and shivering) to maintain a constant body temperature.
Instead, ectotherms use behavior and the environment to
regulate body heat. For instance, some of the more eas-ily
seen herps are pond turtles basking on logs and lizards
sunning on fence posts or porch railings to raise their body
temperatures. Conversely, a reptile or amphibian might slip
into a shady pond to cool down.
Although basking turtles and lizards are fairly common
sights, some behaviors associated with ectothermy can make
herps more difficult to locate. Some hibernate during cold
weather, drastically slowing down their body processes and
remaining dormant and hidden until temperatures rise.
Some herps aestivate (a behavior much like hibernation)
during hot, dry times when moving about might cause them
to overheat.
Even when temperatures are favorable, reptiles and
amphibians often remain hidden from view. Frogs like the
American bullfrog (Figure 1) spend much time in the water,
where they quickly submerge when startled. Many snakes,
Reptiles and
Amphibians
in your backyard
such as the eastern hognose snake (Figure 2), box turtles, and
toads are well camouflaged and blend easily into the colors
of the forest floor. Salamanders dwell under logs, leaves, and
rocks. And because ectothermic animals do not expend en-ergy
to regulate their body temperatures, they eat less often
than endotherms, so they are less likely to be seen foraging
for food.
Herps in the Ecosystem
Herps play important roles in the ecosystems where they live.
Some are predators that keep numbers of their prey in check.
Examples include salamanders that eat insect larvae, or
snakes that eat mice and other rodents. Herps are found on
the other end of the food chain as well: frogs are important
prey for many species of fishes, birds, mammals, and reptiles.
Herps can serve as good indicators of environmental
health. A healthy, diverse herp community indicates that
an area can support the plants and insects herps need for
food and that the area has a variety of habitats available for
Figure 1. The American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana [Lithobates
catesbeianus]) is the largest frog found in North Carolina.
Jeff Hall

NC STATE UNIVERSITY
On a warm North Carolina spring night, after a refreshing rain, you are likely to be serenaded by the most boisterous
of symphonies. Northern and southern cricket frogs make up the percussion section, and Cope’s gray treefrogs add
their melodic, soprano trills. Green frogs pluck banjo strings while Fowler’s toads add their rhythmic singsong. It is a
wildlife chorus unequaled outside of the southeastern United States, which boasts more than half of the country’s
reptile and amphibian species. Indeed, more than 100 species of reptiles and amphibians found in this region occur
nowhere else in the world.
Amphibians and reptiles are an important part of the rich
ecological heritage of North Carolina, and they play impor-tant
roles in North Carolina’s ecosystems. As urban develop-ment
continues to expand across the state, it is important
that North Carolina’s citizens recognize the value of reptile
and amphibian populations and learn how to conserve their
habitats.
The Lives of Amphibians and Reptiles
Scientists combine amphibians and reptiles in a group
called herpetofauna, or herps for short. This name comes
from the word herpetology, which is the scientific study of
reptiles and amphibians. Why combine reptiles and am-phibians
in the same group? Because they share some com-mon
characteristics. Unlike mammals and birds, all herps
(along with fish) are ectotherms. Ectotherms (commonly
called “cold-blooded animals”) do not rely on their me-tabolism
or other physiological processes (such as sweating
and shivering) to maintain a constant body temperature.
Instead, ectotherms use behavior and the environment to
regulate body heat. For instance, some of the more eas-ily
seen herps are pond turtles basking on logs and lizards
sunning on fence posts or porch railings to raise their body
temperatures. Conversely, a reptile or amphibian might slip
into a shady pond to cool down.
Although basking turtles and lizards are fairly common
sights, some behaviors associated with ectothermy can make
herps more difficult to locate. Some hibernate during cold
weather, drastically slowing down their body processes and
remaining dormant and hidden until temperatures rise.
Some herps aestivate (a behavior much like hibernation)
during hot, dry times when moving about might cause them
to overheat.
Even when temperatures are favorable, reptiles and
amphibians often remain hidden from view. Frogs like the
American bullfrog (Figure 1) spend much time in the water,
where they quickly submerge when startled. Many snakes,
Reptiles and
Amphibians
in your backyard
such as the eastern hognose snake (Figure 2), box turtles, and
toads are well camouflaged and blend easily into the colors
of the forest floor. Salamanders dwell under logs, leaves, and
rocks. And because ectothermic animals do not expend en-ergy
to regulate their body temperatures, they eat less often
than endotherms, so they are less likely to be seen foraging
for food.
Herps in the Ecosystem
Herps play important roles in the ecosystems where they live.
Some are predators that keep numbers of their prey in check.
Examples include salamanders that eat insect larvae, or
snakes that eat mice and other rodents. Herps are found on
the other end of the food chain as well: frogs are important
prey for many species of fishes, birds, mammals, and reptiles.
Herps can serve as good indicators of environmental
health. A healthy, diverse herp community indicates that
an area can support the plants and insects herps need for
food and that the area has a variety of habitats available for
Figure 1. The American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana [Lithobates
catesbeianus]) is the largest frog found in North Carolina.
Jeff Hall